Sri Lanka

Statement by Sri Lanka at the Second Session (the session on the Declaration) of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, 17-20 February 2015
17th February 2015
Distinguished co-facilitators,
Let me thank you for convening this session and preparing the ‘elements paper’ to stimulate the discussion on the Declaration of the post-2015 development agenda.
We associate ourselves with the statement made by the Republic of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
We believe that there are certain substantive elements that should be essentially reflected in the declaration.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
Conceptually, the declaration that would constitute the new development agenda must draw from the agreed outcomes of previous summits and processes, in particular the outcome document of the Rio+20 Conference The Future We Want and the outcome of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development. It must set course for an agenda that is guided by the Rio principles, especially the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.
The declaration must also capture the transformative nature of the envisaged global development agenda. The post-2015 development agenda is so ambitious that it will be able to transform the lives of billions of people on earth by alleviating poverty, ensuring food security, providing universal healthcare, access to safe drinking water, compulsory primary education and preserving the global environment for generations to come. It will also eliminate both vertical and horizontal inequalities. The declaration itself must be a prelude to this transformation.
Eradication of poverty has remained the greatest challenge faced by humankind. Poverty, if not addressed properly, will be the greatest impediment to achieving sustainable development goals. Therefore, eradication of poverty must remain at the centre of our discussions on the declaration.
Whilst we must endeavour to build the new development agenda on the unfinished business of the MDGs, it is imperative to recognize the significant role played by the MDGs in the declaration of the post-2015 development agenda.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
It is our firm belief that the declaration should address the challenges faced by countries in special situation such as LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. It should also address and reflect the specific challenges faced by middle income countries who are handicapped vis-à-vis concessionary development financing. It is imperative that Middle Income Countries have continued access to concessional international public finance throughout their development, even after graduation to middle income status.
Sustainable industrialization with a sharp focus on Information and Communication Technology would be a key to development for many of these nations. Many countries in the developed world achieved development through industrialization. Today, industrialization must be sustainable. The declaration must capture these aspects as well. .
Oceans are an integral part of sustainable development, particularly for island states like ours. Therefore, protection, conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development as well as the sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction are extremely important. The next frontier in development could very well be biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. Hence, we believe that the declaration should make references in this regard.
We all agree that the successful implementation of the post-2015 development agenda will depend on strong means of implementation. Financial means will be fundamental in the implementation of the agenda. It is therefore imperative to ensure funding for the sustainable development goals. We recall the failure of MDG 8, a critical negative on our efforts to achieve the MDGs as a whole. Therefore, it would be necessary to include in the declaration a call for a renewed global partnership, where the developed countries support developing countries to implement the post-2015 development agenda, and where previously made ODA commitments are honoured.
Follow up and review will be one of the most important elements of the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. Therefore, it is critical to make references to this aspect in the declaration. The declaration must stress the need to follow up and review of the agenda at national, regional and global levels.
Finally, the declaration must also call for a global political commitment in implementing the sustainable development goals.
I thank you.